Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown yesterday said he put criticism over his plan to send old buses, ferries and cars to Cuba as all part of an anti-Government election campaign.

He responded to claims that Bermuda should not be getting involved with Cuba because of its poor humanitarian record and said he believed the ties could be beneficial.

He said the UK did a lot of business with Cuba, with businessmen travelling there regularly, and he said nobody criticised it.

And the Minister said even the US did some business with the Communist country.

But Dr. Brown said that aside, there were many other countries much worse than Cuba when it came to poor humanitarian records.

"First of all, I have listened to the criticism and I have categorised it," said Dr. Brown.

"First of all, Christians who have commented should remember that I'm my brother's keeper to the extent that if my brother does not have transport then I shall try to help him.

"Cuba is not the only offender on the planet with regard to humanitarian issues."

And he said the purpose of his trip to Cuba earlier this month was to see if Bermuda's old buses, cars and ferries could be taken off the Island's hands.

He said the plan was to offer as a gift the now defunct buses, but he said old cars and ferries would be sold, if Cuba wanted them.

The Minister said up to 80 cars a month were cut in half and placed at the bottom of Bermuda's waters, which he wanted to avoid wherever possible.

And he said although Cubans drove on the opposite side of the road to people in Bermuda, Cuba was well aware of the vehicles' configuration and may not use them as public transport, but instead perhaps for their valuable parts instead.

He said putting Bermuda's waste vehicles in the water had a huge environmental impact on the Island.

"We are looking for another way of handling these used vehicles," he added.

"I can't, for the life of me, see why that has anything to do with Cuba's record on humanitarian issues."

Dr. Brown said he did not fear any backlash from the US, should Bermuda form any kind of ties with Cuba, and he said there were American firms selling food to Cuba.

The Minister said the US Government was only concerned about its people not spending their money in Cuba, but he said even with an embargo in place, there were still flights from the US to Cuba.

But he said if Bermuda's vehicles were sent to Bermuda, he expected it to assist both the Island and Cuba.

A mechanic from Cuba is due to come to Bermuda in the next few weeks to inspect the vehicles. There are 15 buses, numerous cars, and, at the end of the year, there will also be three old ferries, when the Ministry brings in new ones.